Main Base Colours

All example gradients are a range of acceptable colours, a single base cannot vary to these extremes.

CHESTNUT

ee/aa or ee/Aa or ee/AA

Always black (E) recessive. A golden red base lacking black pigment. Can range from a very light gold to nearly black, but will always have a red tint and lack any 'true black'. 

Important Points:

Mane and Tail: The same as or slightly darker/lighter than the base
Skin: Dark grey or black
Eyes: Brown 

BLACK

Ee or EE

A dark charcoal base lacking in red pigment, true black often has a 'blue' tint to it. Faded black, while often mistaken for brown, is caused by fading from the sun. The darkest points will still exhibit the true 'blue' tint.

Important Points:

Mane and Tail: Black
Skin: Dark grey or black
Eyes: Brown 

BAY

EE/Aa or Ee/Aa or EE/AA or Ee/AA

Bay, also known as agouti, is a gene that restricts black pigment to the horse's points, giving the horse a rich brown colour with dark legs, face, mane and tail. If this gene is present, the horse will always be bay, even if E is dominant. Colour can range from a dark gold, to a rich dark brown. Black points must reach up to or around the knees. 

Bay requires both the E and A gene to be present.

Important Points:

Mane and Tail: Black
Skin: Dark grey or black
Eyes: Brown 

MEALY (BAY)

At

Mealy, or brown, is another restriction gene that creates a dark brown to near black coat with soft gold, tan or reddish bay colours around the flank, belly, eyes and muzzle. It occurs when E and A combine with mealy. Often labelled as 'seal brown' or 'seal bay'. May often be mistaken for pangare. The t restriction must attach to "A" and cannot attach to "a" (Ata rather than Aat). In order to achieve dominant mealy, you must have dominant AA.

Important Points:
Mane and Tail: Black
Skin: Dark grey or black
Eyes: Brown 

WILD BAY

Aw

Wild bay is a colour caused by Aw, a gene that is recessive to AA and At. This causes the coat to become a golden or red brown, with black pigment restricted down to the ankles. While often seen with pangare, this gene in itself does not cause any lightening of the underbelly. 

To achieve wild bay, a horse must be E_/Awa or E_/AwAw

If the gene is AwA or AtAw, the horse will visually be bay or mealy.

Important Points:
Mane and Tail: Black
Skin: Dark grey or black
Eyes: Brown